Both have been in the New York area during the lockout; Toney Douglas has been working out in Brewster, NY, and 'Melo has been doing celebrity things, and hopefully basketball things as well. Carmelo did tell reporters at the MSG Training Center that he's in the best shape of his life, and Alan Hanh noted via Twitter, that he did in fact look lean.

But what should we make of the fact that only two Knickerbockers showed up to play basketballs today?

Not to be pessimistic, but for a team that struggled with chemistry after the Carmelo trade, you'd think they would want to get together as soon as possible to work out the kinks before training camp. After all, if the tentative schedules are to remain true, training camps open December 9, and the Knicks will have only two and a half weeks to try and jell before their season-opener on Christmas day.

I'm not one to get worked up into a hype over these things, but the news was announced two days ago that players would be allowed to use team facilities starting today, Thursday. Granted, Chauncey Billups is at home in Denver, the sophomore bros, Landry Fields and Andy Rautins are working out together in LA, and guys like Iman Shumpert, Shawne Williams and Amar'e are working out in Orlando, so they would have to make travel plans, and pack as well. Regardless, there doesn't seem to be much urgency for the guys to get together.

Alan Hahn also noted today via Twitter:

Toney Douglas showed up at MSG Training Center, joining Carmelo. That's probably all for today and possibly until Monday. #Knicks

Assuming the rest of the team does show up Monday, that will be December 5, meaning that four possibly valuable days of familiarizing will be lost. Amar'e's training camp went ka-put, because there wasn't enough time, but also because guys were scattered all around the country doing their own thing.

When Stoudemire's plans for a training camp were first revealed, he said that he would pay for a place for his teammate's to stay, and even their meals. With the amount of money that STAT is making, along with Carmelo, they could charter private jets to pick up each of their teammates and bring them to New York before the official start of the season.

I'm probably making much ado about nothing, but you have to wonder: Where's the urgency?